Grading every Premier League team’s season: How did each team do?

At long last, the Premier League season's drawn to a close. Champions Chelsea obviously end the season with an 'A' grade, while the three relegated teams all get an 'F', but how do the rest of the Premier League's report cards shake out?

20

Sunderland - F

Failing season, failing grade. David Moyes' team didn't look like staying up from the very first kick, and they went about proving it throughout this season. Maybe some time in the lower divisions will give the Black Cats some clarity.

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19

Middlesbrough - F

Middlesbrough were pretty solid at the back, but they couldn't buy goals. That kind of imbalance gets you a failing grade and a prompt relegation.

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18

Hull - F

It's almost a miracle Hull didn't finish bottom of the league, considering the squad they came into the season with. In the end though, they just weren't good enough, despire Marco Silva's magnificent efforts.

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17

Watford - B

Watford will just be happy they've stayed up for another year. They're safe, they can strengthen for next season, and that's really all that matters. Plus, looking for a new manager is just the norm with the Hornets.

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16

Burnley - A

Just promoted this season, Burnley earned their highest league finish since 1975. They're going to face a challenge in keeping their biggest stars (like Michael Keane), but that's a problem for the summer. For now, they're safe, and looking forward to another season in the top flight. That's all they were aiming for.

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15

Swansea City - C

It took them three different managers, but Swansea figured it out. They avoided relegation and lived to fight another day in the Premier League. It's time to take stock of how things sunk to the depths they did this past season, but safety's assured.

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14

Crystal Palace - C

Crystal Palace survived yet another relegation fight, but at this point they've got to be wondering what they have to do differently to avoid the struggle. They'll be happy to have another year of Premier League football to look forward to, but improvement in the summer is a must if they're going to better their showing.

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13

Stoke City - C

A tepid season from Stoke City as they struggled to really make a mark in the league. They were never truly in danger of relegation or cracking the European places, they just... were.

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12

Leicester City - D

Former champs Leicester City finished in 12th place, but that's not why their season was a failure. Their inability to properly strengthen the team and refresh an aging squad saw them struggle early in the season, and Claudio Ranieri was the man to be punished for it. The genial Italian got the sack in February, with his replacement Craig Shakespeare salvaging the remains of their season to steer them into 12th. It was a shame to see the dream end in such an ugly fashion.

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11

West Ham - C

West Ham avoided an ugly relegation battle this season, but it still wasn't a good campaign. They dropped off severely from the success of last year, and it'll take a big reshuffle to make sure that's not the case coming into next season.

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10

West Bromwich Albion - B

A solid midtable finish for West Brom, and the little team from the West Midlands looks like they've figured this Premier League thing out. Tony Pulis' team aren't pretty, but they sure are effective, and they seem to know exactly what to do to stay safe and comfortable. Their supporters can't ask for too much more.

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9

Bournemouth - A

Eddie Howe steered Bournemouth to ninth place in just their second ever Premier League season. That's a drastic improvement from last year's 16th-placed finish, giving them a fantastic base to continue to build on. The Cherries' possession-based style of play was one of the most attractive in the Premier League, and if they can hold onto Howe there's a lot to look forward to at the Vitality Stadium. No one ever dreamed of these heights at Bournmouth.

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8

Southampton - C

After last season's sixth-placed finish, dropping down to eighth is a disappointment for the Saints. Still, the season can't be called a failure by any means, and there were some solid performances Southampton fans can look back on fondly for this season. That eighth place isn't anything to be thrilled about is a sign of how well this club has been run to raise expectations so high.

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7

Everton - B

This season's grade may actually hinge upon Everton's ability to hold onto Romelu Lukaku. He basically was their team this season, and his 25 goals helped lift Everton to contention for a European place. Still, the Toffees were solid throughout the season and did well to stand up to teams with superior resources and talent.

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6

Manchester United - D

The season may end up being a passing grade as a whole, but judged simply on their league form, United have been awful. Sixth place, the fewest wins they've ever garnered in the Premier League era, and some extremely poor performances along the way. They can still make Champions League if they manage to beat Ajax in the Europa League final, but on the strength of their league form they simply don't deserve it.

5

Arsenal - F

This was supposed to be the year Arsenal challenged. They were pipped to the title by lowly Leicester City last year, but this year? This was supposed to be the year. Instead, they flamed out, and Arsene Wenger's side missed Champions League for the first time in 21 years. For a side that hung its hat on finishing top four every single year, this is the most abject of failures.

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4

Liverpool - B

Liverpool didn't mount a title challenge this season, but they achieved their goal: a top four finish. Jurgen Klopp's men are finally into Europe's elite competition, and the draw of UCL football is a huge one for their summer recruitment plans. All in all, a success for the Reds.

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3

Manchester City - B

Pep Guardiola won't be happy with how this season went, but all's well that end's well. The Citizens secured automatic qualification to Champions League, plus Guardiola got through a full season with this squad, so he really knows who he can and can't count on. Now, it's a big summer ahead to make sure they challenge for the title and Champions League next season. That means defenders and central midfielders, but third place with giant holes there isn't so bad.

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2

Tottenham - A

Tottenham pushed Chelsea for the title all the way to the very end. They finished with the league's top scorer, the league's best defense, and scored more goals than any other team. If not for a relatively poor October, they might just have ended up as champs. Mauricio Pochettino's young Spurs side were fun to watch, tactically flexible, and effective. It was their most successful Premier League season ever.

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1

Chelsea - A

What can you say? Chelsea were far and away the best team in the league this year, and the only appropriate grade is an A for Antonio Conte and his men. They didn't look back after the early loss to Arsenal, and they're the deserved champions.